Interchangeable handle question

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R.A.T.

R.A.T.

Randall's Adventure & Training
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Feb 4, 2004
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We have had a lot of users asking us for additional handle slabs. We do not sell them since we marry a set of handles to a knife in the production process, and can't guarantee that same fit with extra handles pulled from stock.

We are talking about this option though: Selling handle slabs that are about 1/16" smaller around the perimeter. So, if you buy these then they will not be flush fit to the perimeter of the knife. Many makers do this now since they don't have to hold the tight tolerances required to flush fit a handle. If everyone likes this idea then we could start selling handles direct from the manufacturer in orange G10, Green Canvas and Linen Micarta and the user could then change them out to what they wanted.

Let us know. And don't start asking for ANY other options/colors than those stated above at this time.
 
I think it would be a great option..... I do not see everybody who owns a RC product doing this but a select few may....
 
I think it would be a wonderful idea to offer interchangeable handles. I'd be all for that option.

However, I'm not sure why you'd want to make them smaller. I'd rather see you make them the same size; micarta, at least, is easy enough to hand sand for an exact fit, if there is any over-hang.
 
I think that alot of people are searching for slabs maybe a bit larger for the RC-3 & 4 (statement not a request) :D

But yes, I would like to be able to change my Rats clothes periodically.
 
I think if a blade handle was damaged(proof verified) it would be an easier fix instead of the end user returning his knife ,he could just get a set of scales,less shipping cost and he could exchange the color of the scales if he/she desired to.
 
We will not sell the same size handle. As we have explained before, it's a quality issue and some folks may not fit a handle like we do then if the knife gets passed on to someone else the bad quality is blamed on us.

Here's the only options we plan to offer at this time:

Smaller handle around the perimeter. Same thickness. Offered in these three options at this time:

Orange G10
Green Canvas Micarta
Grey Linen Micarta
 
R.A.T. said:
We will not sell the same size handle. As we have explained before, it's a quality issue and some folks may not fit a handle like we do then if the knife gets passed on to someone else the bad quality is blamed on us.

Here's the only options we plan to offer at this time:

Smaller handle around the perimeter. Same thickness. Offered in these three options at this time:

Orange G10
Green Canvas Micarta
Grey Linen Micarta
Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasn't trying to create a problem; I'll be glad to have any option like this at all. I probably just don't understand what you mean by "smaller around the perimeter". I was assuming the tang would stick above and below the handles then (i.e., in height) and would create a "quality issue".
 
No matter what I'll be all over an exta set or two of green canvas handles. I'd love to put some on my regular RC-4. (I've already got two sets of green canvas handles on order and they even come with a desert tan blade attached:D).
 
The tang will be exposed equally all the way around the replacement handles. The reason for this is if we make them smaller and expose the tang all the way around then they don't have to fit perfect like the do now. With the way they are now, if they are .005" off from the fit to the tang then you can see and feel the mis-fit. With them being smaller (shrunk down) then they will not go all the way to the edge of the tang and by leaving them about 1/16" from the edge, you will not see any difference in size from one knife tang to the next, thus they don't have to be "married" to one knife. I hope this make sense. Anyone got a pic of a knife done this way?
 
Thanks, I get what you mean now. And like I said I'll definitely get some extra green canvas handles. That is one of the things I like the best about the old RAT line.
 
That would be pretty cool Jeff. I like the modular aspect of changing scales. It would feel like getting a new knife each time you change the scales.
 
I don't want to be a pain.....but here I go.

I would be completely and totally against it IF you changed what you currently put out.

I really dislike knives where the tang protrudes above the handle. I think it makes for hot spots and is generally uncomfotable in real life.

That being said--as long as you made the factory handles flush, I am all good with having other options for after-market. Just keep the same standards in production you have now. :) my $.02
 
okbohn said:
I don't want to be a pain.....but here I go.

I would be completely and totally against it IF you changed what you currently put out.

I really dislike knives where the tang protrudes above the handle. I think it makes for hot spots and is generally uncomfotable in real life.
Click to expand...

I think I have to agree. While it would be a very cool option, the protruding tang with it's crisp corners wouldn't be really hand friendly. It wouldn't be such a big deal on the RC3 or 4, but the bigger blades that might be used for chopping would be fairly uncomfortable.

Not to mention that then Tony would only need to buy one knife in each blade color..... You would be cutting your sales in half.:D
 
I'd say keep selling quality knives with excellent fit and finish. Better to sell knives then slabs. People can do their own mods or get knifemakers to do it.
 
Damn guys, what's it going to take to make this REAL clear? We ARE NOT changing anything on the factory knives. These are REPLACEMENT handles for all those who email us about 20 times a day wanting to put Hot Pink handles on a knife and wondering why we won't sell them a set of handles.
 
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